[Amended 2-13-1974 by Ord. No. 633]
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any land in the Township to subdivide the same into two or more lots or parcels or to lay out, construct, open or dedicate any street, road, highway, alley, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water main, gas main or other public improvement for public use or travel, or for the common use of occupants of buildings abutting thereon, or to sell any lot or erect any building in a subdivision, or to improve one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts or parcels of land for any purpose involving a group of two or more buildings, or to divide or allocate land or space between or among two or more existing or prospective occupants by means or for the purpose of streets, common areas, leaseholds, condominiums, building groups or other features, unless and until:
A. 
A plan or plat thereof shall have been prepared by a registered professional engineer and submitted to and approved, in writing thereon, by the Board. For the purpose of this section and this chapter, a "plat" shall mean a graphic or written representation or document, which, in the case of condominiums, shall include a declaration, code of regulations and declaration plans.
B. 
The plan or plat as approved shall have been recorded.
[Amended 4-13-1988 by Ord. No. 755]
Before approving a land subdivision/land development plan, the Board may, in its discretion, arrange for a public hearing with respect thereto, after giving such notice as required by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[1] The Board may require alterations, changes or modifications of any kind which it deems necessary in such plans and may refuse its approval until all such alterations, changes or modifications in the plan have been made. One or more tentative land subdivision/land development plans may be submitted to the Township Engineer for study, review and comments. The Board may also refuse its approval in the event that a land subdivision/land development plan fails to conform to any of the requirements of the Township Zoning Code[2] or in the event that a special exception(s) or variance(s) is required as a condition precedent to making the plan conform to such code.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 114, Zoning.
Preliminary plans shall be submitted in duplicate and shall be drawn to a minimum scale of 50 feet equals one inch. Profiles of proposed improvements showing grades, cuts and fills shall be drawn to a minimum scale of 40 feet horizontal and four feet vertical equals one inch.
Preliminary and final plans shall contain at least the following specific items:
A. 
Complete block dimensions with bearings, tangent distances and all curve data and stations corresponding to those used on the profile; lot numbers and lot dimensions with bearings; profiles of the highways; design, course, structure and capacity of any drainage facilities; and the method of drainage with respect to adjacent or contiguous territory.
B. 
Location of all street monuments at street intersections, angle points and beginning and ending of all curves.
C. 
Curb grades; profiles showing grades, cross sections, rate of grade and bench marks.
D. 
Width of rights-of-way, cartways and sidewalks.
E. 
Cross section of proposed paving indicating depth and type of each course, position and type of curbs and sidewalks and all other improvements.
F. 
Location of all existing and proposed utility facilities, together with all service connections.
G. 
Existing natural features and proposed landscaping on the site, including the following details:
[Added 7-8-1992 by Ord. No. 786]
(1) 
Locations of natural features which may affect the location of proposed construction, including soil types (from the Montgomery County Soil Survey of 1967), rock outcroppings and areas of slopes of 10% or greater, floodplains, watercourses, open water bodies and wetlands.
(2) 
Existing vegetation, including outer limits of tree and shrub masses and a general description of their types, sizes and conditions. Areas of trees and shrubs to be removed shall be clearly identified.
(3) 
Location, size, species and condition of trees six inches in caliper or greater, standing alone or in small groups where affected by proposed construction. Trees shall be labeled "To Remain" or "To Be Removed," as applicable.
(4) 
Method of protection of existing landscaping material during the construction process, in accordance with the requirements of § 95-11I(8) of this chapter.
(5) 
Location, type and amount of all new landscape material to be installed in buffers along property boundaries and streets, where applicable, as street trees and as parking area landscaping, as specified in § 95-11I of this chapter.
H. 
A landscaping plan, for all subdivisions and all land developments, to be prepared by a licensed landscape architect or one who possesses a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture or a horticulturist possessing an undergraduate degree in that field and familiar with the vegetation of eastern Pennsylvania. In addition to all information required under § 95-7G above, the plan shall include:
[Added 7-8-1992 by Ord. No. 786]
(1) 
A proposed planting schedule, including the locations, species and size of plantings, and methods for their permanent protection on the site. Protection may include such devices as concrete curbs, bollards, cover gratings and railings.
(2) 
Growing conditions, including but not limited to soil type and drainage and the area and depth of soil supporting each proposed tree or shrub.
(3) 
The location, type and depth of existing utilities within the growing area of proposed landscape material.
I. 
Traffic management studies.
[Added 5-9-2018 by Ord. No. 954[1]]
(1) 
Purpose: for the conduct of traffic management studies.
(a) 
A traffic management study shall be required for all major subdivisions, land developments and rezoning requests as described in the Springfield Township Code. This study and report will enable Springfield Township to assess the effect of a proposed: 1) subdivision, 2) land development or 3) rezoning request on the transportation system in Springfield Township. The purpose of the study is to ensure that proposed developments or zoning changes do not adversely affect the transportation network, to identify any traffic problems associated with site access and to determine traffic problems on Township, county or state roads in the study area of the proposed project. The study also will assist in the protection of air quality, the conservation of energy and the safety of the motoring public. The study shall also present specific determination of necessary traffic control signing (i.e., stop signs, speed limit signing, warning signs, no parking signs, etc.), conforming to Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 75, and applicable Township requirements.
(2) 
Conduct of traffic management study.
(a) 
The Township shall select a qualified traffic engineer and/or transportation planner with previous traffic study experience to prepare and review traffic management studies. The subdivision and/or land development applicant shall select a qualified traffic engineer and/or transportation planner with previous traffic study experience to prepare traffic management studies. The traffic engineer/planner for the applicant shall, prior to undertaking a traffic management study, submit a sketch plan of the planned development and, together with the Township traffic engineer/planner, set the scope of the traffic management study. The traffic engineer/planner for the applicant shall conduct the traffic management study. If, in the judgement of the traffic engineer/planner for the Township, additional traffic data or analysis are required, the traffic engineer/planner for the Township may collect the traffic data and perform the additional analysis. The applicant shall be responsible for all costs incurred for its traffic engineer/planner and all costs incurred by the Township for services provided by its traffic engineer/planner. The estimated costs for the traffic engineer/planner for both the applicant and Township shall be guaranteed in a method consistent with this chapter.
(b) 
Subdivisions and land developments for which study is required.
[1] 
A traffic management study shall be required for all subdivisions and land developments that meet one or more of the following criteria:
[a] 
Residential: five or more dwelling units.
[b] 
Commercial: a commercial building or buildings consisting of 5,000 square feet or more of gross floor area or when Chapter 114 of the Springfield Township Code, entitled "Zoning," requires 50 or more parking spaces for the proposed use.
[c] 
Office: a development consisting of 5,000 square feet or more of gross floor area or when Chapter 114 of the Springfield Township Code, entitled "Zoning," requires 50 or more parking spaces for the proposed use.
[d] 
Industrial: a development consisting of 20,000 square feet or more of gross floor area or when Chapter 114 of the Springfield Township Code, entitled "Zoning," requires 50 or more parking spaces for the proposed use.
[e] 
Institutional: a development consisting of 2,000 square feet or more of gross floor area or when Chapter 114 of the Springfield Township Code, entitled "Zoning," requires 50 or more parking spaces for the proposed use.
[2] 
The Board of Commissioners, at its discretion, may request the preparation of a traffic management study for any other subdivision or land development not cited above.
[3] 
The Board of Commissioners shall have the discretion to require the posting of additional moneys in escrow, by the applicant, for the preparation of a traffic management study for any other subdivision or land development not cited above.
(3) 
General requirements and standards for traffic management study. A traffic management study shall follow the outline in Subsection I(3)(a) and traffic management report guidelines contained in Subsection I(3)(b).
(a) 
Traffic management study outline.
[1] 
Introduction.
[a] 
Site and study area boundaries.
[b] 
Existing and proposed site uses.
[c] 
Existing and proposed nearby development.
[d] 
Existing and proposed roadways and intersections.
[2] 
Analysis of existing conditions.
[a] 
Daily (weekday and Saturday) peak-hour traffic volumes.
[b] 
Volume/capacity analysis at critical points.
[c] 
Levels of service at critical points.
[3] 
Analysis of future conditions without proposed development.
[a] 
Daily (weekday and Saturday) peak-hour traffic volumes.
[b] 
Volume/capacity analysis at critical points.
[c] 
Levels of service at critical points.
[4] 
Trip generation.
[5] 
Trip distribution.
[6] 
Traffic assignment.
[7] 
Analysis of future conditions with the proposed development.
[a] 
Daily (weekday and Saturday) peak-hour traffic volumes.
[b] 
Volume/capacity analysis at critical points.
[c] 
Levels of service at critical points.
[8] 
Recommended improvements.
[a] 
Proposed recommended improvements.
[b] 
Volume/capacity analysis at critical points.
[c] 
Levels of service at critical points.
[9] 
Conclusions.
(b) 
Traffic management study report guidelines. The report made after the study shall be in the following format and contain the following information unless any part of the following requirements is specifically waived by the Board of Commissioners.
[1] 
Introduction. The objective of this section is to clearly identify the site and use and transportation setting for the site and its surrounding area.
[a] 
Site and study area boundaries. A brief description of the size, location, general terrain features, proposed land uses, construction staging and completion date of the proposed land development shall be provided. If the development is residential, types of dwelling units and number of bedrooms shall be included. Also, the description shall include probable socioeconomic characteristics of site users with respect to transportation needs of the site (i.e., number of senior citizens).
[b] 
Existing and proposed site uses. The existing and proposed uses of the site shall be identified in terms of type and zoning classification category.
[c] 
Existing and proposed nearby uses. A complete description of the existing land uses in the vicinity of the site as well as their current zoning, proposed uses for adjacent land and other major existing and proposed land development shall be provided.
[d] 
Existing and proposed roadways and intersections. The description shall contain full documentation of the proposed internal and existing external transportation system. This description shall include proposed internal vehicular bicycle and pedestrian circulation, all proposed ingress and egress locations, all internal roadways (widths and rights-of-way), parking conditions, traffic channelization and any traffic signals or other intersection control devices at all intersections within the site. Also, locations for all signing (i.e., speed limits, etc.) shall be shown and verified. The report shall describe the entire external roadway system within the study area. Major intersections in the study area shall be identified and illustrated. All existing and proposed public transportation services and facilities within a one-mile radius of the site shall also be documented. All future highway improvements within Springfield Township and the study area, including proposed construction and traffic signalization, shall be noted. Improvements cited within the most recent Springfield Township Comprehensive Plan shall be referenced. Improvements from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's twelve-year Highway and Bridge Program, within Springfield Township and the study area, shall also be noted. Any proposed or in-place roadway improvements due to proposed surrounding developments shall be noted.
[2] 
Analysis of existing conditions. This section shall describe the results of the volume/capacity analysis to be completed for the roadways and intersections in the study area under existing conditions as well as any data collection efforts that are required.
[a] 
Daily and peak-hour volumes. Schematic diagrams shall be presented depicting existing traffic volumes for average daily traffic (ADT), the weekday peak highway traffic hour(s) and peak development-generated hour(s) and the Saturday peak traffic hour. All documentation must be contained in the report. Turning movement and mainline volumes shall be presented for all peak-hour conditions (weekday a.m. peak, weekday p.m. peak, weekday site-generated and Saturday peak) while only mainline volumes are required for ADTs. Source and method of computation must be included.
[b] 
Volume/capacity analysis at critical points. A volume/capacity analysis based upon existing volumes shall be performed during the weekday and Saturday peak traffic hour(s) and the peak development-generated hour(s) for all roadways and major intersections in the study area.
[c] 
Levels of service at critical points. Based on the results obtained in the previous section, levels of service are to be computed and presented in schematic form. Included in this section shall also be a description of typical operating conditions at each level of service.
[3] 
Analysis of future conditions without the proposed development. This section shall describe the anticipated traffic volumes in the future and the ability of the roadway network to accommodate this traffic without the proposed development. The future year(s) for which projections are made shall be the development completion year unless required otherwise by the Springfield Township Board of Commissioners. Factors included within this section include, but are not limited to, background traffic growth expansion and traffic generated by other proposed development as well as associated improvements.
[a] 
Daily and peak-hour traffic volumes. This section shall clearly indicate the method and assumptions used to forecast future volumes in order that Township personnel can duplicate these calculations. The schematic diagrams depicting future volumes shall be similar for those described previously in Subsection I(3)(a) in terms of location and times (daily and peak hours).
[b] 
Volume/capacity analysis at critical points. The ability of the roadway system to accommodate future traffic (without the proposed development) is to be described in this section. If roadway improvements or modifications are committed for implementation, the volume/capacity analysis should be presented for these conditions. Periods of analysis shall be presented for these conditions. Periods of analysis shall be the same as those previously performed in Subsection I(3)(b)[2][b].
[c] 
Levels of service at critical points. Based on the results obtained in the previous section, levels of service are to be determined and presented as in Subsection I(3)(b)[2][c].
[4] 
Trip generation. The estimation of vehicular trips to result from the proposal shall be completed for average weekday, average Saturday, peak traffic hours during the weekday a.m. and p.m. peak traffic hours, the weekday peak development-generated hour and the Saturday peak traffic hour. These development-generated traffic volumes shall be provided for the inbound and outbound traffic movements as estimated, and the reference source(s) and methodology followed shall be documented. Any characteristics of the site which may cause particular trip generation problems shall be noted.
[5] 
Trip distribution. The direction of approach for site-generated traffic will be presented in this section for the appropriate time periods. As with all technical analysis steps, the basic method and assumptions used in this work must be clearly stated in order that Township officials may replicate these results.
[6] 
Traffic assignment. This section describes the utilization of study area roadways by site-generated traffic. The proposed traffic volumes shall be combined with anticipated traffic volumes as calculated under Subsection I(3)(b)[4] to describe mainline and turning movement volumes for future conditions with the site developed as proposed. Traffic volumes shall be assigned to individual access points. If school crossings are to be used, pedestrian volumes shall be assigned to each crossing.
[7] 
Analysis of future conditions with the proposed development. This section describes the adequacy of the roadway system to accommodate future traffic with development of the site.
[a] 
Daily and peak-hour traffic volumes. Mainline and turning movement volumes shall be presented, in schematic form, for the highway network in the study area as well as driveways and internal circulation roadways for the appropriate time periods (identified previously).
[b] 
Volume/capacity analysis at critical points. Similar to Subsections I(3)(b)[2][b] and I(3)(b)[3][b] a volume/capacity analysis shall be performed for the appropriate peak hours for future conditions with the site developed as proposed.
[c] 
Levels of service at critical points. Based upon the results obtained in the previous section, levels of service are to be determined and presented as in Subsections I(3)(b)[2][c] and I(3)(b)[3][c].
[8] 
Recommended improvements. A description of proposed improvements to remedy deficiencies shall be included in this section. Improvements shall be identified which would replace capacity and/or return predevelopment levels of service conditions. Alternative improvement schemes shall be presented for post-development traffic volumes to operate at a minimum Level of Service D or in no circumstances at a level of service worse than predevelopment levels. These recommendations shall separately identify committed projects of governmental agencies which were described and independently identified in Subsection I(3)(b)[1][d] and reflected in the analysis contained in Subsections I(3)(b)[3] and I(3)(b)[7].
[a] 
Proposed recommended improvements. This section should describe the location, nature and extent of proposed improvements to assure sufficient capacity. The listing of recommended improvements shall include, but not be limited to, the following elements: internal circulation design, speed limit, stop and no-parking sign locations, site access location and design, external roadway and intersection design and improvements, and traffic signal installation and operation, including phasing and timing. All physical roadway improvements shall be shown in sketches. This listing shall also include, for each improvement, preliminary cost estimates, funding source, timing and likelihood of the improvement implementation and the party responsible for the improvement.
[b] 
Volume/capacity analysis at critical points. Another iteration of the volume/capacity analysis shall be presented and described which demonstrates the anticipated results of making recommended improvements.
[c] 
Levels of service at critical points. Based on the results obtained in the previous section, levels of service for the study area with improvements shall be presented.
[d] 
Conclusion. The last section of the study shall be a clear, concise description of the study findings. It is anticipated that this concluding section should serve as an executive summary.
(4) 
Time of submission.
(a) 
The traffic management study shall be submitted to the Township Secretary with the preliminary plan application or the petition for rezoning, as the case may be. An application for preliminary plan approval shall be deemed incomplete and unacceptable for filing if the traffic study is not included in the submission, and the time period for approval of such plans pursuant to Section 508 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10508, shall not commence until the study is received by the Township Secretary. A petition for rezoning will not be accepted or scheduled for hearing until the traffic management study is received.
(b) 
The preliminary plan and accompanying improvement construction plans shall not be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation until the plans and the traffic management study have been reviewed by the Springfield Township Planning Commission and the Springfield Township Engineer, and approved by the Springfield Township Board of Commissioners. The submittal to PennDOT shall be accompanied by the comments of Springfield Township.
(5) 
Implementation.
(a) 
The Springfield Township Planning Commission, the Township Engineer and the Board of Commissioners shall review the traffic management study to analyze its adequacy in solving any traffic problems that may occur due to the land development, subdivision or request for rezoning.
(b) 
The Springfield Township Board of Commissioners may decide, after receiving the reports and recommendations of the Planning Commission and Township Engineer, that certain improvements are necessary and may make these additional improvements to be completed by and at the cost of the developer as conditions to the subdivision, land development or request for rezoning approval.
(6) 
Waivers.
(a) 
The Springfield Township Board of Commissioners may waive or modify, in whole or in part, the requirement for a traffic management study or any of the requirements and standards set forth in this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Subsection I, Traffic impact studies, added 12-12-2007 by Ord. No. 891.
[Amended 2-14-1951 by Ord. No. 340; 11-9-1960 by Ord. No. 465; 11-11-1970 by Ord. No. 600; 4-14-1976 by Ord. No. 650]
A. 
All preliminary and final plans for subdivision and land developments shall be submitted to the Township Engineer, who shall stamp the filing date thereon and subject the plan thereafter to the processing requirements of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247 of 1968, and its amendments.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
B. 
At the time of filing said plans with the Township Engineer, in addition to the payment of those fees required by Montgomery County, the following application fees shall be made payable to Springfield Township, for the use of the Township, in accordance with the following schedule:
[Amended 7-11-1984 by Ord. No. 725; 4-13-1988 by Ord. No. 755; 7-14-2004 by Ord. No. 865]
Fee Schedule
Use
Waiver Request/ Sketch Plan
Preliminary Plans
Final Plans
Residential
Subdivision
$250
$350 + $50 per lot
$500 + $100 per lot
Land Development
$250
$200 per D.U.
$250 per D.U.
Nonresidential
Subdivision
$250
$300 + $100 per lot
$500 + $150 per lot
Land Development
$250
$500 + $100 per acre
$2,500 + $150 per acre
NOTE: D.U. = dwelling unit.
C. 
Professional fees and escrow deposits.
[Added 4-13-1988 by Ord. No. 755]
(1) 
When the Township incurs charges from its Solicitor, Engineer, Traffic Engineer, Planner or other professional consultants in connection with any land use matter, such charges shall be billed to the applicant at the same rate normally charged the Township by such consultants for work which is not reimbursable. Upon submission of a complete land subdivision/land development application, the applicant shall be required to execute a contract for the Township's professional services in the form prescribed by the Township and to establish with the Township such escrow amounts as are required under such contract before the application is officially received and review commenced. If all fees and escrow deposits are not established in accordance with such contract, the application shall be considered incomplete.
[Amended 5-14-2003 by Ord. No. 854]
(2) 
At the time of filing said contract for the Township's professional services, in addition to those fees required for administration and review of the land subdivision/land development plan, an escrow account shall be established as prescribed above, in accordance with the following schedule:
[Amended 7-14-2004 by Ord. No. 865]
Escrow Deposit Schedule
Use
Initial Deposit
Minor subdivision (4 lots or fewer)
$500 per lot
Major subdivision (5 or more lots)
$1,000 per lot
Land development
$3,000 per acre or fraction thereof